Box Score Box Score
RADFORD, VA – Maryellen Derenda's goal two minutes into the first overtime period gave the Radford Highlanders a 2-1 victory over the Winthrop Eagles on Friday evening at Cupp Stadium in Big South Conference action.
Derenda scored the goal after her initial shot deep inside the 18-yard box was blocked by the Lady Eagles, but she got the rebound and placed her shot past goalkeeper Kelsy Weavil for the game-winner.
Winthrop's record drops to 3-8-2 on the season and 0-3-1 in conference play, while the Highlanders improve to 7-7 overall and 4-1 in the conference.
“We played well against Radford,” said head coach Melissa Heinz. “They (Radford) are a great team. We showed up to play tonight; unfortunately being a young team is keeping us from winning these tight games.”
After playing to a scoreless tie in the first half, the Lady Eagles struck first in the 67th minute on Kylie Long's first career goal as an Eagle. Long created the opportunity as she took the ball a majority of the field, made some great moves through the defense and put her shot from the far side just under the top crossbar from 10-yards out.
Radford would tie the game at 1-1 in the 80th minute courtesy of a goal by SharDavia Bell after Jill Boyer lofted a long pass that bounced in front of Weavil and over her head to the feet of Bell, who was waiting in front of the goal to tap it in.
“This loss is a hard one to swallow, especially with how well we are playing,” Heinz said. “I'm proud of the players tonight.”
The Highlanders outshot Winthrop 13-7 and also held a 7-3 advantage in shots on-goal. The Lady Eagles led in corner kicks 5-3.
Jessica Hausfeld led the Lady Eagles with two shots, while five different players had one shot each. Long had the lone shot on-target. Weavil finished the match with five saves.
Justine Dugger and Latrice Lee had a team-best three shots for Radford, and Derenda and Mary Wiley added two shots apiece. Goalkeeper Lisa Lubke snagged a total of two saves in the match.
Winthrop will be back in action on Sunday, Oct. 18 as it travels to Lexington, VA to face the VMI Keydets in conference action at 1 p.m.
